Full-Time Formats: First-Year MBA Curriculum

The first year curriculum emphasizes learning-by-doing, develops a comprehensive and integrated understanding of general management, and enhances communication, team and career management skills. More simply put, it's all about new knowledge, real-world experience and professionalism.

The first year learning experience is focused on outcomes, emphasizing what students can actually do with the knowledge they gain. From the first day of class students apply what they learn to real organizations. They develop the tools managers need to lead and succeed, learn to effectively structure an organization, manage a work force, negotiate for resources, facilitate and respond to change, identify and provide value to customers and clients, and interact in international settings. They learn the financial, accounting, statistical, economic, quantitative, strategic and information system tools essential for successful careers. And they understand the ethical, legal and multi-sector issues of management. Along the way students develop a true understanding of cross-functional integration and management decision-making.

The first year curriculum consists of eight required courses and two elective courses.

The Willamette first-year curriculum also includes features that powerfully enhance the professional experience of students. These programs include PACE: Consulting for Not-For-Profit and Government Organizations, PACE: Developing and Entrepreneurial Venture, PACE: Achieving your Career Goals and Integrated Knowledge Exercise Weeks (or "IKEWs").

• PACE: Consulting for Not-for-Profit and Government Organizations - The project starts on the first day of class when each PACE team begins transforming themselves from a group of students to an organization of managers who will establish and deliver a package of management services for a local not-for-profit organization. The service/consulting project provides a valuable opportunity to build real-world experience and contribute to the community through enhancing the operations of client service organization.
• PACE: Developing an Entrepreneurial Venture - By the end of the first year each PACE team will have accomplished something most managers have never experienced - they will have written a business plan and presented their team's plan in a public forum. Each plan will compete with those of other PACE teams, and the best plans may be implemented in the second-year elective course GSM 681 - New Ventures to Launch.
• PACE: Achieving Your Career Goals - Understanding and developing the best practices of career management is an important part of our MBA program. From the essential tools of career self assessment, resume writing and networking to mock interviews, salary negotiation and more - this program helps student build a bridge between their MBA and professional goals.
• Integrated Knowledge Exercises Weeks - IKEWs help students to achieve and measure progress in their ability to do what successful managers do - apply knowledge of the functional areas of management in an integrated and strategic manner to a real issue.